Already Home - Book Review

A story of a woman who learns to open her heart and, in the process, discovers that love doesn’t wait for an invitation. Jenna Stevens is still reeling from a recent divorce and recuperating from wounds inflicted by a husband who belittled her at every opportunity. A classically trained chef, Jenna no longer believes she’s capable of the leaps of creativity that once won her praise from her instructors and from food critics, so she moves back to her hometown in Texas to open a retail cooking store.

Just as Jenna’s settling into her new career and beginning to feel like she’s on even ground, her birth mother barrels her way into Jenna’s life. Jenna doesn’t want or need a second mother, especially a vegan mother named Serenity who would have named her Butterfly. But while Serenity listens to signs from the Universe, she easily ignores Jenna telling her to go away. With gentle but insistent pressure, she will find a way to open Jenna’s heart.

My thoughts: Not having been adopted, I don't know how it would feel to be adopted. I think I'd want to know who my birth parents were. You know, whether there were any health issues to be concerned about, that kind of thing. To suddenly be brought face-to-face, at 32 years old , with them without warning is a different story. This was a good book, sometimes funny, sometimes teary.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes only. The opinions stated are my own and I was not under obligation to give a good review.

Softly and Tenderly - Book Review

Maybe in the wide-open country she can learn to breathe again.

Happily married and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son – who he wants her to help raise – Jade’s life is turned upside down.

She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There – while her mother’s health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger – Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood. In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn’t rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's tender mercies.

My thoughts: This is a story of life. It happens all the time, everywhere. When it happens, one has to find ways to deal with it. One can either look to God for help or deal with it in other ways.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes only. The opinions stated are my own and I was not under obligation to give a good review.

Rush of Darkness - Book Review

Raine Spenser is on the brink. Held prisoner because of her abilities, Raine—a powerful psychic as well as vampire desperately needed a savior. But the last one she expected was the green-eyed soldier who’d once hunted her kind. Since her rescue, she’s tried to forget Seth McConnell, unable to cope with the strange, simmering attraction that draws her to the compelling human.

But their goals—find the Kraven who held Raine captive and destroy him—are the same. The ever-growing web of danger surrounding them draws these two unlikely allies closer together, and anger slowly turns into an explosive passion they’re finding harder and harder to deny...

My thoughts: This is the first book I've read of the Primal Instinct Series. After reading it, I've come to the conclusion that I'll have to read the previous six books of the series.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes only. The opinions stated are my own and I was not under obligation to give a good review

A Pale Demon - Book Review

Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches’ conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic ever-after . . . forever after.

But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country? Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.

For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight—freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

My thoughts: Kim Harrison brings together demons, pixies, witches, and vampires into a story that holds your attention throughout the entire book.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes only. The opinions stated are my own and I was not under obligation to give a good review

Spiky, Slimy, Smooth - Book Review

Soft, gooey, fluffy, prickly—textures are all around us. What clever words will you use to describe the textures pictured in this book?
Jane Brocket's appealing photography and simple, whimsical text give a fresh approach to a topic all young children learn about.

My thoughts: Jane brought a unique way of helping children learn about textures. The pictures are bright, colorful, and attention-grabbing.

Click here to purchase your copy of Spiky, Slimy, Smooth.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes only. The opinions stated are my own and I was not under obligation to give a good review.

Avon Voices - Talent Search for Women

I recently heard about Avon Voices, Avon's Talent Search for women. Two winners will receive the chance to have a professionally recorded album. However, the last day to enter is February 13! Aside from Avon makeovers, professional musical coaching and studio time, finalists also get to travel to destinations such as Hong Kong, Hollywood, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, or Nashville!

Here's what Avon Voices says:

THIRTY SECONDS TO SHARE YOUR STORY, SONG AND YOUR SPIRIT

AVON VOICES OFFERS ASPIRING SONGSTRESSES THE CHANCE TO BE HEARD

BY MUSIC INDUSTRY HEAVY HITTERS FERGIE, NATASHA BEDINGFIELD, DIANE WARREN, AMONG OTHERS

Thirty seconds is all it takes to potentially make it big and gain exposure to audiences from more than 60 countries and be professionally judged by music-industry greats like Fergie, six-time Grammy award winner; legendary songwriter, Diane Warren; Natasha Bedingfield, Grammy nominated singer/songwriter; Lea Salonga, Filipina singer and actress and Russian sensation, Valeriya, among others.

Be empowered! Avon Voices is inviting people everywhere to join a worldwide movement that unites and inspires through the universal language of music. Women around the world are making their voices count by telling their stories, sharing their dreams, and showcasing their talents at www.avonvoices.com.

It’s easier than you think. Through February 13, 2011, women can sing out on a 30-second video clip from the approved song list at www.avonvoices.com and be a part of a global movement. Talented finalists of the year-long program will travel to exciting destinations such as Hong Kong, Hollywood, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris and Nashville. With that comes professional coaching, Avon makeovers and studio time for performance videos.

Avon Voices is the company’s first-ever global online singing talent search for women and songwriting competition for men and women in celebration of its 125^thAnniversary. At the conclusion of the program, Diane Warren will be providing an anthem to be recorded by up to 10 global finalists alongside many of Avon Voicescelebrity judges. The anthem will debut live at the Avon Foundation for Women Annual Awards Gala, scheduled for Fall 2011 in New York City.

This moving anthem, as well as other Avon Voices recordings, will be available for purchase in certain countries, and a percentage of your purchase will help advance theAvon Foundation for Women’s global campaign to end violence against women and girls. Find out more about music purchases at www.avonvoices.com. To date, Avonglobal philanthropy has raised and awarded more than $30 million directed to domestic and gender violence awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs.

About Avon Products, Inc.

Avon, the company for women, is a leading global beauty company, with over $10 billion in annual revenue. As the world's largest direct seller, Avon markets to women in more than 100 countries through approximately 6.2 million active independentAvon Sales Representatives. Avon's product line includes beauty products, as well as fashion and home products, and features such well-recognized brand names as AvonColor, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals, and Mark. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avoncompany.com.

About Avon Foundation for Women

The Avon Foundation for Women was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women. Through 2010, Avon global philanthropy has donated more than $800 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses its funding on breast cancer research and access to care and efforts to end domestic and gender violence. Avon has also responded generously in times of major global disasters and emergencies.

To learn more about Avon Voices, go to http://www.avonvoices.com/ or follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/avonvoices) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/avonvoices).

Against the Law - Book Review

Kat Martin is the author of Against the Law and Harlequin is the publisher.

The most unsettled of the “no-account Raines boys,” Devlin Raines has long been protecting his heart from injury. But his latest case—and client—forces him to lay everything on the line…

At thirty-two Dev is “mostly retired” from Raines Investigations, content to run operations from his sprawling Arizona home. But Dev has never been able to say no to a beautiful woman, so when Lark Delaney comes to him for help, the former U.S. Army Ranger from Wind Canyon gets back in the game.

Lark is sexy, successful and dedicated to tracking down the baby girl her sister gave up for adoption. It should be a straightforward case, but it’s not long before Dev uncovers a shady adoption ring and worse—the child’s parents have been murdered and the little girl has been taken.

As the case grows dangerous and Lark needs him more than ever, Dev can’t ignore his growing attraction for her. He also can’t trust his judgment with women or the emotions he’s long since buried. But there’s a chance, if he gets this right and saves Lark’s niece, that he’ll end up saving himself, too.

My thinking: First of all, I love Kat Martin's books. This book tugged my heart-strings. It is so much more than just a romance story. It's a story of motherly-love and sisterly-love; however, it's also full of adventure and suspense.

Disclosure: A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes only. The views expressed in this post are mine.

EZ Sox Review and Giveaway - Redraw for 1 Winner

One of the previous winners didn't respond to my email; therefore, I had to draw again. Here's the new winner.

Three Boys and an Old Lady!!

I'll be sending an email and you have 24 hours to respond before I draw again.